Green Awards profile: Obikwa

South African producer Obikwa blazes a trail in reducing its impact on the environment.

In 2010 the brand became the first wine to switch to ultra light weight 350g Consol glass bottles, resulting in a dramatic reduction in carbon emissions.

The lightest of all glass wine bottles currently available in South Africa, the 350g Consol bottle is 100g lighter than the former Obikwa 450g bottle.

This 25% weight saving amounts to a total reduction in carbon dioxide equivalent emissions of 654 tons per year across the entire Obikwa range.

In addition, there is a saving of electricity in the production of the light weight bottles amounting to 318 000 kWh per year, enough to sustain 40 typical South African homes for an entire year.

Taking its commitment to a sustainable environment way beyond light weight glass, Obikwa adheres to eco-friendly practices throughout the entire wine production process.

All Obikwa grape producers must comply with the requirements of the Integrated Production of Wine (IPW), the South African industry standard for environmentally sustainable practices.

Consequently, all Obikwa wines carry the Sustainability Seal issued by the South African Wine & Spirit Board, the world’s first guarantee of eco-friendly production.

In its quest to minimise its carbon footprint, Obikwa, one of the entries in the 2011 Drinks Business Green Awards, has the benefit of practices put in place by parent company Distell whose economies of scale can make small changes go a very long way.

Green initiatives that have been implemented across a number of production sites include the recycling of waste glass, paper, cartons and plastic as well as the implementation of grey water recycling for irrigation purposes at Adam Tas Cellar where the Obikwa wines are made.

Click here for more information about the Drinks Business Green Awards

db, 24.11.2010